DETROIT — The Chevrolet Malibu is the 2008 North American Car of the Year, and the Mazda CX-9 is the 2008 North American Truck of the Year.
The winners were announced Jan. 14 at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit’s Cobo Center. However, the auto show itself does not give the awards.
The awards are unique in that instead of being given by a single media outlet, the winners this year were chosen by 45 automotive journalists who represent newspapers, magazines, television, radio and websites in Canada and the United States.
The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
Although dozens of new 2008 vehicles were eligible, the jurors whittled the field down to 15 cars and 13 trucks on which they voted in December. The three car and three truck finalists were revealed in December.
The results are as follows:
· The Cadillac CTS got 165 votes
· The Chevrolet Malibu got 190 votes
· The Honda Accord got 95 votes
· The Buick Enclave got 109 votes
· The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid got 140 votes
· The Mazda CX-9 got 201 votes
Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Saturn Aura while the North American Truck of the Year was the Chevrolet Silverado.
Not including this year, domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year seven times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times.
Not including this year, domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year nine times, Japanese automakers have won three times (Honda and Acura took two of those) and European automakers have won twice.
Previously, hybrid vehicles have won three times. The Toyota Prius was named the 2004 North American Car of the Year; the Escape Hybrid was named 2005 North American Truck of the Year and the Honda Civic Hybrid was included when the Civic lineup that won the 2006 North American Car of the Year.
For more information about the North American Car & Truck of the Year, go to: http://www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.
Source: From aftermarketNews Staff & Wire Reports
